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Marriott Bonvoy Elite Membership

As a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, the perks offered are on another level. Think VIP for hotel guests. The higher your Elite Status, the better your benefits. Marriott has 5 tiers of Elite membership: Silver (the lowest tier), Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador (highest tier). Let’s explore what these tiers have to offer.

Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

There is nothing like arriving at your hotel, trying to check-in, and learning they cannot honor your reservation— now you have nowhere to stay. According to Marriott, they will “pay for your accommodations that night at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience.” The compensation you receive varies by the hotel brand you had reservations with. Compensation ranges from $100-$200, with the possibility of receiving 90,000 – 140,000 points, depending on your Marriott Elite Status level and hotel brand.

Bonus Point Earnings on Eligible Hotel Bookings

While general members can earn 2.5 to 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying charges spent on

eligible bookings, Elite members receive additional points on eligible charges:

• Silver – 10% bonus points
• Gold – 25% bonus points
• Platinum – 50% bonus points
• Titanium – 75% bonus points
• Ambassador – 75% bonus points

***‘Eligible Charges include room rates, and amenities charged to the room like food/beverage, and spa.

Late Checkout

When it comes to hotel checkout, timing is everything. With most hotels, checkout time is 11am or 12pm, leaving you little time to enjoy part of the last day of your hotel stay. Requesting late checkout oftentimes comes with a fee; however, checkout times could be extended an additional 4-5 hours at Marriott properties based on availability and your Elite Status.

• Silver Elite – Priority late checkout
• Gold Elite – 2pm
• Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elites – 4pm

The way this works is the highest Elite Status members receive priority over all other members. Basically, Silver Elite would be the first to be booted out of their rooms if there wasn’t enough availability, followed by Gold Elite.

Welcome Gift

I am all for the little things that help make my experiences more memorable. Depending on the

hotel brand and your status level, you might receive an extra treat at check-in.

• Silver Elite – No special treat
• Gold Elite – 250 or 500 points upon arrival (based on hotel brand)
• Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite – Points, food and/or beverage credits, or amenity credits upon arrival

Room Upgrades

Perhaps one of the best benefits of having Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status is the possibility of receiving a room upgrade. Upgrades from your original room could be the difference between not having a balcony, to having one; from not having a room with an ocean view, to a room facing the ocean; from not having a jacuzzi, to an in-room tub; or simply moving from a studio room to a 1-bedroom suite. The possibilities are endless when room upgrades are available at your chosen hotel.

Benefits for Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite Members

Dedicated Support

A 24-hour call-line to assist with your booking/hotel needs.

Lounge Access

Many hotels have dedicated floors with lounges for hotel guests with elite status, or if you book certain room types. If your hotel has one, you will be granted open access to the hotel lounge, which oftentimes offers complimentary breakfast, beverages, and happy hours.

Annual Choice Benefits

On a yearly basis, if you attain a minimum of 50 elite night credits in a calendar year, you would be eligible to select one Annual Choice Benefit. The list of possible benefits includes 5 free room/suite upgrades, various donations that can be made on your behalf, receiving additional elite night credits, or gifting a friend/family member with Silver Elite status. If you attain 75 elite night credits, you would be eligible to select 2 of the above in addition the option of giving a friend/family member Gold Elite status or redeeming a free night award up to 40,000 points.

48-hour Guarantee

With this level of status, Marriott will guarantee you a room for your stay if you book your stay within 48 hours (3pm the latest) of your desired arrival date.

Ambassador Elite Sole Benefits

As an Ambassador Elite, you have the flexibility to choose your check-in and checkout time with their ‘Your24’ benefit. You would also be eligible for the Ambassador Service, which provides you with additional assistance for your stays.

How to Earn Marriott Elite Status

The easiest, and perhaps fastest way to earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status is to have a travel credit card that offers it. While there are many options available on the market, my 2 personal favorites are included below:

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card – Annual Fee of $95

This co-branded credit card automatically comes with Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status. You can earn 3 Free Night Awards with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®, 30,000 Bonus Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold®, or 85,000 Bonus Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card. The Boundless credit card also comes with an additional Free Night Award on each anniversary.

American Express Platinum Card – Annual Fee of $695

One of the many benefits of having this card is that it comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, Marriott’s 2^nd tier of Elite Status. Although this card comes with a hefty annual fee of $695, the benefits can far outweigh the costs, and Marriott Gold Elite Status is just one of them. Platinum card account holders can add up to 3 additional users for $175 total per year. Using this method, each additional card holder can register to become a Marriott Gold Elite Status member at no additional cost, just by linking their credit card to their Marriott account through the American Express app or online.

Aside from having the right credit card, you can earn Elite Status the old school way, by staying at a Marriott property for the required amount of nights.

• Silver Elite - Stay 10 nights per year
• Gold Elite - Stay 25 nights per year
• Platinum Elite - Stay 50 nights per year
• Titanium Elite - Stay 75 nights per year
• Ambassador Elite - Stay 100 nights per year AND spend $23,000 minimum per year on eligible purchases

IMPORTANT NOTE

When booking through a third party (any entity that is not the hotel brand, i.e., booking.com, Expedia, hotels.com, credit card portals, etc.), it is highly unlikely that your membership benefits will be honored at the hotel. Not impossible, but unlikely. Booking directly with the hotel is the most surefire way to reap your benefits.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Marriott Bonvoy membership offers its members some serious perks and is just one of many ways to elevate your travel experience. Even if you are not an avid traveler, hotel perks can certainly come in handy for when you do decide to go on a trip.

Bon Voyage! Or should I say, “Bonvoy”!

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